Author: Press Room

Scientists at Antarctica’s Scott Base swapped labcoats for ski gear this weekend, completing a 24-hour skiathon on some of the Earth’s most remote slopes.The event, held at Scott Base Ski Club near New Zealand’s Antarctic research station, brought together scientists and staff from multiple nations.Scenes captured by Antarctica New Zealand showcased skiers taking turns on the remote slope, where summer’s perpetual daylight enabled round-the-clock skiing.Antarctica New Zealand field support officer Stephen Trimble said the unique location provided perfect conditions for night skiing – with some unusual concerns.”It’s going to look like this at 3am. It’s going to look like this…

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced last month along with 50 other men for the repeated drugging and rape of Gisèle Pelicot in case that stunned France. ADVERTISEMENTFrance must change its rape law to include consent, a cross-party panel of lawmakers has said in the wake of the Gisèle Pelicot mass rape trial that shocked the country.A consent-based rape definition should urgently be added to the existing law, which defines rape as an act committed on someone using “violence, coercion, threat or surprise” — with no clear mention of consent — the MPs said in a report presented to parliament on Tuesday.”Nearly…

Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern is set to release a “deeply personal” memoir in June, in which she details her decision to step down during her second term.In A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir, Ardern describes her journey from a girl in Morrinsville to becoming the world’s youngest female head of government at age 37.According to publisher Penguin Random House, Ardern shares the moments that defined her leadership and created a model for leaders to tackle challenges with empathy and strength.The cover of A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir, set to be released on June 3, 2025. (Source:…

A south Auckland man’s dream of building his beach community their first pump track for kids may yet come true.Byron Scott has tried for years to build a pump track in the Maraetai and Beachlands area.He had the expertise and the funds but lacked the space to bring his dreams of a 360 square metre asphalt pump track to life.”Originally, we tried to get one in Ōmana Regional Park, which we weren’t able to do,” Scott said.”We then tried the local schools, but they don’t really have space.”His company, Trailpro, built asphalt pump tracks and bike tracks in schools and…

Official figures out today show inflation has stayed at 2.2%, latest figures from Stats NZ show.The previous figures in October also had inflation at 2.2%, bringing it into the Reserve Bank’s target range for the first time in more than three years.“This is the second consecutive quarter that the annual inflation rate has been within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3%,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.“Prices are still rising, but not as much as previously recorded. The most recent peak was in the June 2022 quarter when the annual inflation rate reached…

Bernd Lange, the president of the European Parliament’s trade committee, told Euronews how Europe could negotiate with US president Donald Trump if tariffs hit on European goods. ADVERTISEMENTToday Radio Schuman speaks with Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament’s Trade Committee, who noted that Europe still has room to respond to Trump’s policies.In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump provided little detail regarding his earlier threats to impose tariffs on the European Union. His previously stated demand that Europe face tariffs unless it increased purchases of US oil and gas was already well-known, with many European politicians asserting they are prepared…

Voluntary administrators have been appointed to Body Shop NZ — with stores remaining open as stock is cleared.The Body Shop NZ has 16 stores across New Zealand with approximately 70 permanent employees and an online business. It sells skincare, make-up haircare and body products.Customers were told of the closure in an email on Wednesday afternoon.”We regret to inform you that after much consideration, our New Zealand business has entered voluntary administration and will be closing its doors. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your loyal support throughout the years,” the email read.A storewide discount of 40% would be…

The annual celebrations at Rātana, a small pā near Whanganui, are considered the unofficial start to the political year.The Rātana Church was founded around 100 years ago by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana and members gather every year to mark his birthday, January 25, although the celebrations usually take place over several days.Today marks the start of a series of pōwhiri to welcome locals, other hāhi and religious groups, iwi, community groups, politicians and dignitaries in the lead up to the official day.Who was Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana?Born in 1873, Rātana first became widely known for his spiritual work before he turned his…

The potential new owner of the Whakapapa ski field has expressed interest in operating the famous Chateau Tongariro hotel.The building located near Mount Ruapehu was shut indefinitely in February 2023 due to its high earthquake risk.Whakapapa Holdings has expressed interest in redeveloping it and running the hotel.Its director Tom Elworthy said it was an integral part of the tourism offering around the Whakapapa Village and the national park area.”It’s quite a material number of beds during the off season for the summer tourism operation both on the mountain but also the Tongariro Crossing and mountain biking.”It would be very difficult…

NZ Herald owner NZME plans to cut 38 jobs as it reorganises its news operations.It called staff into a meeting this morning and told them its plans to “reorganise and resize” its news operations across the national newsroom, including the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk, and Newstalk ZB.It said it planned to publish and produce fewer stories, to focus on those that engage audience.It said it would also further invest in video.Journalists would be grouped into a team-based structure across live news, business, sport, lifestyle and politics. Each would be headed by an editor who would manage the team.A specialist print team…